Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera helps grow Scouting in Charlotte

Ron Rivera, head coach of the Carolina Panthers, has given football fans in Charlotte, N.C., plenty of reasons to cheer this season. His Panthers will play in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

But Rivera has fans of Scouting in Charlotte cheering as well. As honorary roundup chairman for the Mecklenburg County Council, Rivera helped the council see a 17.8 percent jump in new Cub Scouts during the 2015 recruiting season.

Rivera’s theme, which he conveyed in a number of video and radio ads, was “Get off the bench, get in the game and join Scouting … adventure is calling.” He sent those interested in learning about the BSA to BeAScout.org.

The council took five Scouts to the Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium last spring to film the public service announcements. Ken May, vice president of membership for the council, was impressed with what he saw.

“Ron was very personable — asking every Scout his name and rank,” he said. “He regaled us with stories of his Scouting days, where his campouts were in the Panama jungle. His dad was stationed there in the military, and soldiers would accompany them on their outings. Probably to protect them from real panthers!”

The results of the council’s recruiting campaign speak for themselves. With Rivera’s help, the council is growing its Cub Scouting ranks.

“Needless to say, we are very appreciative of coach Rivera and all he did to help us out in the last year,” May said. “Coach Rivera is a good and decent man and embraces all 12 points of the Scout Law in everything he says and does. We couldn’t be more proud.”

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Bryan on Scouting is the official blog of Scouting magazine, a Boy Scouts of America publication. Scouting magazine is published five times a year and is received by 1 million registered adult volunteers.